Ex-lawyer Cohen reports to prison, blasts Trump for 'injustice and lies'

'Tell the truth'

Lanny Davis, spokesman for Cohen, issued a statement saying Cohen "will continue to be accessible to Congress and to federal, state and local law enforcement."

"I will continue questioning why Michael is the only person within the Trump Organization to be prosecuted for crimes committed at the direction of and for the benefit of Mr. Trump," Davis added.

Davis praised Cohen's "courageous decision ... to tell the truth about why Donald Trump represented a danger to our Constitution, our freedoms, and our nation's fundamental values."

Cohen had originally been due to report to prison on March 6, but was granted an extension to recover from shoulder surgery and testify before Congress.

Cohen broke with Trump in July 2018, telling ABC News he intended to put family and loyalty to his country ahead of the president. Cohen and his wife, Laura Shusterman, 49, have two adult children, Samantha and Jake.

In February congressional testimony, Cohen said, "I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr. Trump's illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience. I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is. He is a racist. He is a con man. He is a cheat."

During his December sentencing in New York, Cohen said, "My weakness can be characterized as a blind loyalty to Donald Trump, and I was weak for not having the strength to question and to refuse his demands."

Cohen pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance law, bank fraud and tax evasion. Prosecutors said Trump himself directed illegal hush payments orchestrated by Cohen of $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels and $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal to avert a scandal shortly before the 2016 election.

Trump has denied sexual relationships with them and said he never directed Cohen to do anything illegal.

Cohen also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about a proposed Trump tower project in Russia that was being negotiated at the same time he was running for president.

His prison time could be reduced by about 15 percent for good behavior.

Reuters